Guy-line clamp



Dec. 2 1 1926.

. 1 M. A. WEST GUY LINE' CLAMP Filed Feb. v 1926 Patented Dec. at, was.

MAXVELL A. WEST, OF PORTLAND, OREGON.

GUY-LINE CLAMP.

Application filed February This invention relates generally to clampsfor lines by means of whichtheir ends may be joined together, or the endof a guy line may be passed around an anchor and secured -devices inwhich the wedge does not contact with; the line at any time and operatesbetween a pair of laterally sliding jaws which themselves are adapted toengage the inner sides of the line, while the outer portions thereof areheld by a stationary clamp.

An'illustration of this style of .clamp may be seen in my United StatesPatent Number 1,563,603, dated December 1, 1925, over which this deviceisan improvement.

The first object of this invention is to provide an exceedingly simpleand efficient clamp for cables and ropes in which the clamp can beapplied or released with a minimum amount of expenditure of time, la-

= bor or power and without undue injury to the lines orv equipment, ordangerv to life and limb.

The second object is to so construct the clamp that one man with asledge hammer can easily set the clamp to'withstand the maximum strainto which it .should be sub jected, or he can release the clamp undersuch strains, or from a slack line, as gradually as desired withoutrequiring the assistance of a pull from a power unit or otherwisemaneuvering the rigging.

The third object is to so construct the clamp that its entire topside isleft open at all times and that the tightening wedge can be started intothe breach and held in position ready to be driven home by the sledgewhen the desired tension is attained on the guy line, and, also that thewedge .may be stopped at the desired point and secured in place withoutover-doing or under doing the clamping action on the line.

The. fourth object is to socbnstruct' the clamp that there is no wrongway in which it can be placed in position, and also that thewed'ge maybe inserted from either end to facilitate the driving operation, as wellv as to assistin preventing the wedge from falling out while the guyline is being tight ened. This is accomplished-by making the sides ofthe clamp parallel inst ead' of converging asis commonly the case.

4., 1926. Serial m. 85,914.

The fifth "object is to so construct the clamping jaws that each mayhave a slight amount of longitudinal movementthat is, parallel with theline which they engageinorder that they may properly set them selves onthe surface of the line.

The sixth object is to so construct the clamp that it can bemanufactured by either casting or drop forging process and that itsweight will be reduced to an extent which will not be obj ectionable. V

These results are accomplished in the manner set forth in the followingspecification as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is aperspective view showinga spar tree such as is commonlyemployed in logging operations being guyed to outlying stumps. Figure 2is an enlarged plan of the clamp from its open side and showing thewedge'partially driven home. .Figure 3 is a transverse section takenalong the line 33 in Figure 2. Figure 4 is a side elevation" through aform of the clamp especially adapted for use with manila rope. Figure5(is a section taken along theline 55 in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a plan ofthe wedge. Figure 7 is a side elevation of the wedge. Figure 8 is a sideelevation of a formof clamp having spiral line-engaging grooves.

which are preferred for metallic cables. Figure 9 is a plan of Figure 8.Similar numbers of reference refer to the same parts throughout theseveral views.

Referring in detail to the drawing, in order to illustrate the operationand utility of this device there is shown a spar tree 10 beingguyed tooutlying stumps 11 and 12 by means of the guy lines 13 and 14. Other guylines 15 are also indicated leading from the top ofthe spar tree 10. I

As is well understood, each guy'line is pro-' vided with a special formof hook 16 which is passed around the top, of the spar 10. once and thenhooked on to the bightof theline, which permits it to cinch up tight onthe spar and prevents the guy from slipping down. For very tall spartrees a second set ofguys is often applied at an intermediate point onthe spar toprevent same from howing under load. In practice, usually sixguys areprovided at the top of the spar and four at the midway section,making't'en guys in. all. It is therefore apparent that what ever methodis employed for tighteningor anchoring these-guy lines it must be Sim.

hack

the form onithe under-side 0 ple, sate, easily-handled and, above all,not require unusual skill for successful operation. I

The hauling line 17, which is usually handled by a power driven drum(not shown), passes through the block 18 which isse'c'ured to the sparbelow the g line fasteningshy means of a short cable which will let theblock stand out about three fGGtflOlll the spar to tacilitate leading bein different directions.

It is ,custoinary to notch a ring 19 half around the anchor stump toreceiyethe guy line. The hauling line 1:7 tern'linates at hookQO which"engages the eye Q lattheend the guy line, which has been previouslypassed around the stump 11,

Referring niore particularly to the clainj) itself it will be seen toconsist of asoniewhat fiatouter c.l a1nping member inturried edgesflglinside of which may he ced itheiportious 24k andflo of the uy lines 14:.Aga'lnst each portion QeE aiid 25 is slidahly placed a clamping jaw2615myided ontheircline-engaging sides with a curved tace 2T suitablyroughened to insure propercontactfwith the line. I I For inanila rope itis preferred to employ the ribs 28 while tor netallic cables the spiralgrooves 29 seem preferable, a

7 At each end oiieach clamp 22isforn1eda T head 30 adapted to preventthe Jclanl p tron moving longitudinally through ,the cable forany greatdistance, due tothe fact that theT heads wi l engage the ends of the amp2 1 a, It must he ohser'v'edv here that sex 1e cousiderahle clearance isdesirable between the jendsandthe clamp in order that the clamping jawmay properly seat itself on the rough cable surface.

The tips glof the inturncd edges 23 do not touch but are open foradmitting the line .;]3arts 2-1: and prior to attaching;the' hauln'ghne, as well as for the insci ionof the jaws 26, andglater for theirrenioyal. oi tlie clamp 22 are formed the sti ning r bs wh h P fe ab y iof handles adapted to strengthen the ;cla1np and aid in handling, eitherby hand or, it is desircdfto string anuinhcr devices on a cable andt ragshine throughi the woods as is customary such deyices.

with

it other adV-antageot hay inore stable prior to tlie teiiision on gliewedge 34 is provided wit sas ieyvses and 36, either one of which can beseated against the inner side 37 of the clamp 22. Obviously holes couldbe drilled through the wedge 34 andthe clamp 22, as is illustrated in myahov eanentioned patent but by the employment of the set screws 85 and36 any desired setting of the wedge may be obtained. In other Words, itmay belooked at exactly the position where it is thought that thefclanipproperly set, instead or being necessary to stop at a certain holebefore the clamp is fully set, or to require the additional dri i'ng ofthe wedge in order to register the'next hole. ,Furtherinore, in theemployment of pins there is constant danger of loss and getungjou't ororder, owingto the unusually rough treatme'ht such devices-aresubjectedtoI in the woods. I a

. The ep'emtion of the device is as, renews: llssu'min ;that it is toheused for fastening guy lines to anchor stumps, the guy jline firstliztst-e ned to the spar tree and then passed around the anchor stump]"The claihp 22is now placed on the ground in front of the stmnpand thetwo portions 2-1 1 and 25 or the gay line aielaid into the clamp. Theclan'ipi'ng jaws26 are now put .into place against the inner sides ofthe line and the wedge 34 is start-ed between the two jaws 26 and thefirst set screw is tightened to firev'ent'Tsa'n'ie from falling out. oThe hauling line 17 is now made fast to theen d of theguy linea'nd, bymeans of said hauling line, the guy line 14 is pulled through the clampand around the stump until the desired tension is attained. At thispoint the firstset screw 35 is loosened and the wedge is driven hoineuntil the jaws 26 exert sufficient pressure against the cable to preventany slippage thereth'rough after the tension from the hauling line isreleased or under pulls the opposite direction from other guy lines, orunder. Working conditions. L

By attaching the block 18 well up on the spar and causin'g the pull'ofthe hauling line ton b iplfactically parallel to the guy itself Yerydesirable-result is-xohtai ned, inasas additional purchaseissecuredthereby .oyer Whatwould be the'cas'e, for example, c l aehbl' kl r esenedieth o the spar 7 As itjis; the siiar top f and stuinpare'being jjulled to 'trd eiach other. it ha e s? n "'2'6'. It't is(Ether this I p ation should h clamps have been constructed in the past:

' it .istherefore not my intention to cover such devices broadly, but Ido intend to cover all such forms and modifications there of as fallfairly within the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A guy line clamp having, in combination, an open sided outer framemember having parallel opposed side grooves formed therein for receivingportions of cable; clamp jaws capable of limited longitudinal movementadapted to be placed against cable in said grooves, saicljaws' havingtheir adjacent sides converging; a wedge for driving said clamp jawsoutwardly against said cable; and means for locking said wedge in aclamped position.

2. In a guy line clamp, the combination of a flat outer clamp memberhaving inturned parallel edges forming opposed cable receiving groovesalong the sides of said clamp and in' parallel relation to eachother;two wedge shaped clamp jaws each having one grooved side adaptedto engage a cable in one of said grooves, and having their adjacentsides converging; a wedge adapted to be driven between said jaws; meansfor limiting the longitudinal movement of said jaws; and means forlocking said wedges to said clamp member when the'clamping operation iscompleted.

3. In a guy line clamp, the combination of a clamp frame having parallelopposed grooves formed along the sides thereof; a pair of Wedge-shapedclamp jaws adapted to engage the inner sides of portions of cablewithinsaid grooves, each of said clamp jaws having means for permitting'only'a limited endwise movement; a wedge adapted to 'ment of said cables bedriven between said clamp jaws; and means for locking said wedge in anydesired position.

4. In a guy line clamp, thecombina'tion of a clamp frame consisting of arelatively flat member having inturned parallel edges each of which canreceive a portion of cable and hold same against outward thrust andin aparallel relationto the cable on the opposite side of said clamp; atapering clamp jaw in each inturned portion of the clamp having agrooved side turned toward its cable the adjacent side of the oppositeclamps converging each of said clamps having a T- shaped end providinglimited longitudinal movement; and a wedge adapted to be driven betweensaid set screw means for holding same against longitudinal movement whendesired.

5. A guy line clamp having, in combination, a flat frame member havinginturned edges formed at each top side thereof and having a plurality ofrib-s on the underside of the back thereof a space being left betweenthe inturned ends of said clamp suflicient for the free passage of cableinto or out of said clamp, one of the inturned edges receiving the bightof a line and the opposite edge receiving the hauling end thereof; aclamp jaw in each inturned edge having its outer side grooved to conformwith the aws, said wedge havlng contour of the cable and its inner sidecon- I verging with that of the opposite jaw, each of said jaws havingstop lugs formed on the end thereof adapted to engage the ends of saidframe; and a wedge adapted to be driven between the converging faces ofsaid jaws and force same outwardly with their grooved faces parallel toeach other until they su'fi'iciently engage the cables in said int'urnedgrooves to prevent endwise move- Wlth relation to each other.

MAXWELL A; WEST.

